Full Implementation to Shorten the Review Cycle for New Investigator R01 Applications Reviewed in Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Recurring Study Sections

Notice Number: NOT-OD-07-083

Update: The following update relating to this announcement has been issued:

October 5, 2011 - See Notice NOT-OD-12-001. Update of NIH Late Application Policy to Reflect Change in Due Dates for New Investigator R01 Resubmission Applications.

March 23, 2011 - See Notice NOT-OD-11-057 Change in Timetable for Opportunity to Shorten the Review Cycle for New Investigator R01 Applications Reviewed in Study Sections Convened by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Beginning with the September/October 2007 Study Section meetings the Center for Scientific Review is extending this to all new investigator R01 applications submitted for standard receipt dates (this does not include submissions for RFAs and PARs with special dates). The CSR recurring study sections that review new investigator R01 applications will meet on a schedule to allow consecutive cycle resubmissions. Study Sections in the AIDS and AIDS Related Research (AARR) Integrated Review Group already conduct reviews and produce summary statements on a schedule that allows consecutive cycle submission for new investigator R01s.

With the full CSR implementation of this effort, most of the policies and practices initially established remain in effect:

Study Sections participating will schedule meetings so that new investigators receive their summary statements no later than March 1, July 1, or November 1.

The Summary Statements for qualifying applications will have an explicit note indicating eligibility for next cycle submission.

Resubmission applications for consideration at the next cycle must be submitted by March 20, July 20, or November 20.

New Investigators who do not choose the next cycle option will use the standard resubmission dates for subsequent cycle submission (March 5, July 5, or November 5).

However, with the inclusion of all of the recurring study sections in CSR, there is no longer a requirement that the resubmission application return to the same study section that reviewed the previous version. If a different study section is requested a cover letter making that request must be included with the submission of the application. As with all applications, the final decision on assignment resides with the Division of Receipt and Referral in CSR.

NIH Definition of a New Investigator
For the purpose of review and funding, individuals are considered new investigators if they have not previously competed successfully as the principal investigator (PD/PI) on any Public Health Service-supported research project other than a small grant (R03), an Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15), an exploratory/developmental grant (R21), ), a Shannon Award (R55), an NIH High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56), or certain mentored research career development awards for persons at the beginning of their research career (K01, K08, K22, K23, K25, K99/R00). Current or past recipients of Independent Scientist and other non-mentored career awards (K02, K04, K05, K24, and K26) are not considered new investigators. (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/resources.htm). When Multiple Principal Investigators are proposed, all PIs must meet the definition of new investigator to qualify for new investigator consideration (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/multi_pi/overview.htm).